About Weimaraners | dcweimclub

Weimaraner - A Powerful Breed

The Weimaraner, also known as the "Gray Ghost", is a breed that orginiated from Germany. They are a medium-sized gray dog, with fine aristocratic features. The Weimaraner should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and balance.

The Weimaraner is a versatile AKC sporting breed that does well at field trials and hunting tests; Weimaraners are also an ideal personal hunting dog and household companion. The Weimaraner is friendly, fearless, alert, and obedient. He/she requires firm training and plenty of exercise, which intern, makes for a great companion choice for anyone with an active, sporty, lifestyle.

Are you thinking of getting a Weimaraner?

First consider that the decision to get any dog is not something to be taken lightly. It is important to do some research to help decide if this breed suits your lifestyle. Please read: Before You Get a Dog.
Are you thinking of getting a Weimaraner? It is important to do some research to help decide if this breed suits your lifestyle.
Crate training is a must- as is obedience training, and daily exercise. This is a 10 - 15 year commitment and should not be taken lightly.Weimaraners are very smart, very stubborn, and have lots of energy. They are good with kids, although they do tend to (un-intentionally) knock over the little ones during bursts of excitement.
You will need lots of time, patience, energy and determination in order to "tame" this beast. The Weimaraner's "adolescent stage" can sometimes last years. This is probably why many say that the Weimaraner is not a dog for beginners. When trained properly, you will end up with the best darn personal gun dog/canine companion/couch snuggler you've ever had. If you don't follow the training and exercise regimen seriously from the get-go - then by the time your pup is just six months old, you may end up having your home and your life ruled by a wild gray banshee from hell!
Daily vigorous exercise is recommended - Frisbee, jogging, biking, or an off-lead romp in a safe area.
Weimaraners are very social, and want to spend all their time at their master's side. If you are looking for a lawn ornament or a back-yard dog, then the Weimaraner is definitely NOT the breed for you.
Make sure that you read The Gray Ghost Weaves Its Spell, an excellent comprehensive and concise article about Weimaraners. After that, you may wish to get another opinion about whether you really want to own a Weimaraner. Here are some more words of wisdom that you must read Before You Get a Weimaraner.
If you become convinced that the Weimaraner is indeed the right breed for you, then you need to learn How to Choose a Responsible Breeder. The best place to find responsible breeders is at dog shows and through your local Weimaraner Club. Never buy a dog from a pet store. Pet store dogs come from puppy mills.
You may also want to consider adopting an older Rescue Weimaraner (check out Joanne's story). Visit the DC Area Weim Rescue and the Weimaraner Club of America's Rescue Website.
After you obtain your Weimaraner, your breeder is your best resource for information about your dog. The next best resource is The Weimaraner Manual, which can be purchased via Karin Bakken.

Weimaraner Standard

Genearal Appearnce

A medium-sized gray dog, with fine aristocratic features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and balance. Above all, the dog's conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.

Height

Height at the withers: dogs, 25 to 27 inches; bitches, 23 to 25 inches. One inch over or under the specified height of each sex is allowable but should be penalized. Dogs measuring less than 24 inches or more than 28 inches and bitches measuring less than 22 inches or more than 26 inches shall be disqualified.

Head

Moderately long and aristocratic, with moderate stop and slight median line extending back over the forehead. Rather prominent occipital bone and trumpets well set back, beginning at the back of the eye sockets. Measurement from tip of nose to stop equals that from stop to occipital bone. The flews should be straight, delicate at the nostrils. Skin drawn tightly. Neck clean-cut and moderately long. Expression kind, keen and intelligent.

Ears

Long and lobular, slightly folded and set high. The ear when drawn snugly alongside the jaw should end approximately 2 inches from the point of the nose.

Eyes

In shades of light amber, gray or blue-gray, set well enough apart to indicate good disposition and intelligence. When dilated under excitement the eyes may appear almost black.

Teeth

Well set, strong and even; well-developed and proportionate to jaw with correct scissors bite, the upper teeth protruding slightly over the lower teeth but not more than 1/16 of an inch. Complete dentition is greatly to be desired.

Nose

Gray.

Lips and Gums

Pinkish flesh shades.

Body

The back should be moderate in length, set in a straight line, strong, and should slope slightly from the withers. The chest should be well developed and deep with shoulders well laid back. Ribs well sprung and long. Abdomen firmly held; moderately tucked-up flank. The brisket should extend to the elbow.

Coat and Color

Short, smooth and sleek, solid color, in shades of mouse-gray to silver-gray, usually blending to lighter shades on the head and ears. A small white marking on the chest is permitted, but should be penalized on any other portion of the body. White spots resulting from injury should not be penalized. A distinctly long coat is a disqualification. A distinctly blue or black coat is a disqualification.

Forelegs

Straight and strong, with the measurement from the elbow to the ground approximately equaling the distance from the elbow to the top of the withers.

Hindquarters

Well-angulated stifles and straight hocks. Musculation well developed.

Feet

Firm and compact, webbed, toes well arched, pads closed and thick, nails short and gray or amber in color. Dewclaws-Should be removed.

Tail

Docked. At maturity it should measure approximately 6 inches with a tendency to be light rather than heavy and should be carried in a manner expressing confidence and sound temperament. A non-docked tail shall be penalized.

Gait

The gait should be effortless and should indicate smooth coordination. When seen from the rear, the hind feet should be parallel to the front feet. When viewed from the side, the topline should remain strong and level.

Temperament

The temperament should be friendly, fearless, alert and obedient.

Minor Faults

Tail too short or too long. Pink nose.

Major Faults

Doggy bitches. Bitchy dogs. Improper muscular condition. Badly affected teeth. More than four teeth missing. Back too long or too short. Faulty coat. Neck too short, thick or throaty. Low-set tail. Elbows in or out. Feet east and west. Poor gait. Poor feet. Cowhocks. Faulty backs, either roached or sway. Badly overshot, or undershot bite. Snipy muzzle. Short ears.

Very Serious Faults

White, other than a spot on the chest. Eyes other than gray, blue-gray or light amber. Black mottled mouth. Non-docked tail. Dogs exhibiting strong fear, shyness or extreme nervousness.

Disqualifications

Deviation in height of more than one inch from standard either way. A distinctly long coat. A distinctly blue or black coat.

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